12 players who ‘rock’ with locks like Sam Okwaraji

The flamboyant Sam Okwaraji was the first notable player to wear dreadlocks while playing for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

To commemorate the 26th anniversary of his demise, we present you a collection of players with, erm, dreadlocks!

THE DUTCH MASTERS

The hair style is mostly associated with Rastafarian religion but in football, especially in the 90s, it was associated with Ruud Gullit. He captained the Netherlands to their major soccer triumph at Euro ’88 and also had a distinguished club career with Feyenoord, PSV, AC Milan, Sampdoria, and Chelsea which he later managed. However, he has ditched his old looks and sports a short haircut these days.

Edgar Davids’ aggressive approach to the game made it impossible for him to go unnoticed on the pitch. Even though he mellowed after refusing to hang his soccer boots despite in his 40s, his dreadlocks still made him highly recognised! Like his compatriot, Davids played for top clubs that include Barcelona, Milan, Ajax, Juventus, Inter and Totthenham. And Barnet in the English second division!

BABY DUTCH

Nathan Ake is still cutting his soccer teeth under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho in Chelsea, but the knotting of his locks are interchangeably done by Gullit and Davids!

He even looks like one of the Dutch masters!

Which one, by the way?

HAIR TODAY GONE TOMORROW

Henrik Larsson was a regular goal scorer for his clubs and country, but that cannot be said of his hair.

Celtic fans can only have a picture of the dreadlocks-wearing striker in their mind while Manchester United fans can only remember this…

But then, our own Okwaraji falls into this category.

As well as our dear Pastor Taribo West!

And a certain Emmanuel Adebayor.

THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT

Lawrence Siphiwe Tshabalala, known as Nyawana, is the captain of Kaizer Chiefs in the Premier Soccer League in South Africa. Siphiwe Tshabalala is not only a long name but a funny one too. Not as long and funny like his dreadlocks, though!

COLOUR OF LOVE

The Brazilian striker Vagner Love has amazing locks because he changes the colour to match the jersey of the club he’s representing!

US RASTAS!

Cobi Jones has retired from the game, but we are not tired of recalling his locks that made him stand out in the colours of the USMNT. No, that’s not the name of a Reggae station devoted to the music of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh but the United State Men’s National Team.

Jones, though, is alive in a current player – Kyle Beckerman!

The Real Salt Lake midfielder and captain is recognised by everyone because of his father-of-all dreadlocks!

There’s a rule in American football (not soccer) known as ‘The Rickie Rule’. It states that if a player’s hair falls below the helmet, that extra hair is part of the jersey and can be used to tackle a person.

We think football (not American football) should have an equivalent of this rule to discourage wannabe Beckerman clones!

Normally, dreads are formed by intentionally weaving strands of hair together to make long coils or they can be formed by just not washing one’s hair over a long period of time. However, we are confused where to place some of these listed locks.

But since you have insisted on a category to ease your understanding of this short tribute to Sam Okwaraji, we will call it…

THE ‘NO-COMMENT’

Yes, on ‘no-comment’ we stand!

On ‘no-comment’ we now sit!

Goodbye, Sam!